With Bowen’s blessing, Spurs to give No. 12 to Aldridge

LaMarcus Aldridge is coming to town – and he’s getting to keep his old number.

With the blessing of its previous owner, Bruce Bowen’s No. 12 is coming out of retirement so that the Spurs’ latest All-Star addition can don his preferred digits.

“You want LaMarcus to feel part of the family,” Bowen told the Express-News. “If I can have a hand in that, shoot, why not? I don’t play anymore.”

Consider it a “Welcome to San Antonio” gift for Aldridge.

Save for two years at the University of Texas spent in No. 23, Aldridge has worn No. 12 every season of his basketball life. That includes all nine of his NBA seasons in Portland.

Though it wasn’t exactly a sticking point in free agency negotiations, Aldridge – a four-time All-Star — wondered if he might be able to keep his old number in San Antonio.

There was one problem. The Spurs retired the No. 12 three years ago to honor Bowen, the starting small forward on NBA championship teams in 2003, 2005 and 2007.

Not long after Aldridge agreed to a four-year deal worth more than $80 million to join the Spurs last week, general manager R.C. Buford phoned Bowen to ask about bequeathing the number to the team’s new prize.

The 44-year-old Bowen, who last played in 2009, agreed immediately.

“I hope it helps (Aldridge) feel comfortable,” Bowen said. “If he’s comfortable, the sky’s the limit for him here. It’s one less thing he has to worry about.”